Under existing laws, brick and mortar travel agencies are mandated to purchase liability insurance. However, the law does not extend to cover online platforms.

In fact, according to Bloomberg’s sources, some web providers don’t have a government-issued operating license or liability insurance.

Before the new laws are enacted in China, the government are seeking the public’s opinion on the matter through consultations.

The incident in Thailand saw a boat capsize off Phuket in July, putting Chinese regulators under fire for the lack of accountability for internet operators.

It was reported that nearly all of the 127 Chinese citizens involved in the accident had booked their trips via online tour platforms, including the 47 deceased.

The ministry issued an urgent notice shortly after, calling for local authorities to perform emergency investigations of online travel platforms. Tour products that were found to be substandard were immediately suspended.